WA bushfire class-action lawsuit possible

Former federal police commissioner Mick Keelty has heard from Margaret River bushfire victims who want to know how a prescribed burn got out of control and destroyed their homes.

Mr Keelty has been asked by the West Australian government to investigate the blaze that burnt 32 homes and nine holiday chalets as it tore along a coastal strip on November 23-24.

WA's Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) carried out a prescribed burn in a national park on September 6, then relit it in November. Two days later the blaze ran out of control.

Questions are being asked about why the fire was relit so late in the season and when hot and windy conditions were forecast.

On Sunday Mr Keelty inspected burnt properties before holding a community meeting at Margaret River that was attended by more than 100 residents.

Mr Keelty, who has been given powers similar to those of a royal commissioner, said his inquiry would not be into the practice of prescribed burning but would try to discover how the blaze got out of control.

A resident at the meeting was applauded when he said that the fire had been the result of decisions made by DEC officials and that heads should roll.

Questions were also asked about whether criminal charges could be laid over the fire, and some residents were looking at joining a class action to seek compensation from the government.

Senior DEC staff and Environment Minister Bill Marmion have been heavily criticised over the escaped burn.

However, Premier Colin Barnett has defended Mr Marmion and refused opposition calls to sack him, saying that it was an accident and that an inquiry would determine what went wrong.

DEC director-general Keiran McNamara has said unseasonal wet weather after the initial burn on September 6 had prevented it being completed in the time expected.

He said the fire had to be relit to keep it safe and finish burning off fuel loads.

Mr Keelty is due to deliver his findings early next year.

Earlier this year he reported to the WA government on the Perth Hills bushfire which destroyed 72 homes in February.

That report was critical of WA's Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) and led to the sacking of its chief, Jo Harrison-Ward, and a shake-up of the state's firefighting management.